Bruce Arena not in touch with Hammarby on Baggio Hušidić, but player could be an option "down the road"

CARSON, Calif. – Pablo Mastroeni may have been the cornerstone of the LA Galaxy’s trade with the Colorado Rapids on Monday, but LA also acquired the rights to current Hammarby IF midfielder Baggio Hušidić.

The 26-year-old midfielder has been with the Swedish Superettan club since 2011, but his deal with the AEG-owned side expires at the conclusion of the season in November. Since joining the club coached by former Galaxy captain Gregg Berhalter, Hušidić has made 35 league appearances and scored once. A former member of the Chicago Fire, Hušidić made 50 regular season appearances for Chicago while scoring three assists before being acquired by the Rapids during Stage 2 of the 2011 MLS Re-Entry Draft.

On Monday, Galaxy head coach and general manager Bruce Arena revealed that he has not yet had talks with Hušidić, Berhalter or any other representatives with Hammarby. However, Arena admitted that deal could be an option for both parties “down the road” if Hušidić is interested in a return to MLS.

“We know the player very well. He was in our league and we do see Hammarby play games,” said Arena, who also added that Hušidić played with Galaxy associate head coach Dave Sarachan’s son Ian at the University of Illinois, Chicago. “We have not been in touch with the player or the club. I just think that as we piece together this deal with the Rapids, obviously, Pablo was the focal point of the deal, but we'll try to piece it together and address needs that everyone had, it seemed to make sense to me to do this.”